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Best Exercise for Stress?
Dear Tony,
I broke up with my boyfriend nearly six months ago and still harbor some ill-feelings about the way it happened. I took a new job three months ago, and there is a lot of pressure for performance. It seems that one slip-up means you’re out the door, and I can’t afford to make it without a paycheck. The end result is that I find myself unable to sleep and wringing my hands all the time. I’m stressed!
I know that exercise helps relieve stress, but what type of exercise is best?
Maureen T., Salem, Oregon |
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Dear Mo:
Don’t feel alone--stress and anxiety are major contemporary health issues and exercise is a promising way of treating these condition. Research shows aerobic exercise is the best choice to reduce stress and anxiety. Aerobic activities are those that sustain your heart rate at 60 percent to 80 percent of your maximum heart rate and include walking, swimming and jogging. Initial research shows that weight training is also beneficial, but further research is needed in that area.
Yoga and swimming have been shown to reduce anger, confusion, tension and depression. Studies have shown that while men experience greater reductions in tension, fatigue and anger with yoga than with swimming, women experience equal results with the two exercises. Some additional research shows tai chi and brisk walking have similar stress-reduction benefits. The annual cost of stress-related illnesses in the United States is more than $300 billion, so the more that people can apply varied treatments, the better off everyone will be.
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Ask Tony articles are reprinted by permission of Ms. Fitness magazine at P.O. Box 2490, White City, OR 97503. Ms. Fitness® is a registered trademark of Wally Boyko Productions, Inc., in the USA, Canada, European Union and other countries. All rights reserved. Wally Boyko Productions, Inc. P.O. Box 2490 White City, OR 97503 USA 1.541.830.0400 |
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